scholarly journals Reelin haploinsufficiency affects skilled motor performance associated with suppression of training-induced gene enrichment, synaptic function and activity-dependent cortical plasticity in mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Nishibe ◽  
Hiroki Toyoda ◽  
Yu Katsuyama
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
The Other ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gene Enrichment ◽  
Activity Dependent

AbstractRELN (Reelin) is one of the genes implicated in neurodevelopmental psychiatric vulnerability. Patients with neurodevelopmental disorders can experience impairments in fine motor skills. While Reelin modulates synaptic function, whether Reelin haploinsufficiency affects activity-dependent cortical plasticity which supports development of skilled movement is unclear. Here, heterozygous Reeler mutant (HRM) and Dab1floxed/ +; Emx1-Cre mice both displayed learning improvements measured by the reach-to-grasp task, but their performance levels of the forelimb motor skill were lower, compared with controls. The level of skilled motor performance was correlated with the area of cortical representations of the trained forelimb, examined after 10 days of training. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the genetic haploinsufficiency also alters changes that occur during the early phase of the training. Examined on day 3, the training induced synaptic modifications of the layer III cortical neurons in (wild-type) WT mice, which were contributed by synaptic potentiation and increase in spontaneous action-potential driven glutamatergic-transmission. On the other hand, the basal excitatory and inhibitory synaptic function were depressed, affected both by presynaptic and postsynaptic synaptic impairments in naive HRM; and thus, no further training-induced synaptic plasticity occurred in HRM. Lastly, examined after 3 days of training, the gene enrichment observed in trained WT mice was absent in trained HRM mice. The finding suggests the Reelin haploinsufficiency alters the skilled motor function; and we propose the suppression of gene enrichment, and synaptic abnormality led by the genetic insufficiency may contribute to impede the occurrence of activity-dependent cortical plasticity.Significance StatementImpairments in fine motor skills occur in subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders. We report a mutation relevant to the neurodevelopmental disorders can impact the cortical plasticity associated with skilled motor function. In wild-type mice, the motor training induced extensive activity-dependent cortical map plasticity, synaptic modifications through synaptic potentiation and excitatory-transmission increase, as well as enrichments in certain gene expressions. On the other hand, mice with Reelin haploinsufficiency (presumed mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders) exhibited lower level of skilled motor performance, and the underlying correlates shown in wild-type mice were found suppressed. We conclude the suppression of gene enrichment, and synaptic abnormality due to Reelin haploinsufficiency may underlie the limited development of activity-dependent cortical plasticity, contributing to impairments in motor skills.

scholarly journals Assessing Motor Performance in Preschool Children: The Zurich Neuromotor Assessment-2 and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110252
Author(s):  
Gerda van der Veer ◽  
Erica Kamphorst ◽  
Alexander Minnaert ◽  
Marja Cantell ◽  
Tanja H. Kakebeeke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Assessment Battery ◽  
Movement Assessment ◽  
Zurich Neuromotor Assessment ◽  
Pearson Correlations

Comparing motor assessment tools that are available for young children is important in order to select the most appropriate clinical and research tools. Hence, this study compared motor performance assessed with the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment-2 (ZNA-2) to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). The sample consisted of 169 children, aged 3–5 years (87 boys; 51%). We used Pearson correlations to examine relationships between the ZNA-2 and MABC-2 component and total scores. In addition, Pearson correlations were performed between individual fine motor and balance items of the ZNA-2 and MABC-2. Results were that the total scores of the ZNA-2 and MABC-2 correlated moderately ( r = .40, p < .001). Non-significant to moderate correlations were found between components ( r = −.00 to .47) and between individual items of fine motor skills ( r = .04 to .38) and balance ( r = −.12 to .38). Thus, the ZNA-2 and MABC-2 measure partly similar and partly different aspects of motor performance.

Efficacy of fine motor and balance exercises on fine motor skills in children with sensorineural hearing loss

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Elsayed S. Mehrem ◽  
Lamyaa A. Fergany ◽  
Said A. Mohamed ◽  
Hany M. Fares ◽  
Roshdy M. Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fine Motor Skills ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Balance Exercises ◽  
Fine Motor Performance

Background: Childhood hearing impairment is a major disability associated with delayed motor development. The affected Fine motor performance in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) could be due to dynamic balance deficits and visual-motor incoordination. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of fine motor exercises with or without balancing exercises on fine motor skills in children with SNHL. Methods: One hundred and eighty (180) children their age ranged from 8 to 18 years old diagnosed with SNHL were selected. They were divided into three groups, 60 children (control group) practiced only their ordinary activities of daily living, 60 children (fine motor exercises group) practiced fine motor exercises, and 60 children (fine motor and balance exercise) group practiced fine motor and balance exercises. The outcomes were assessed by the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of the motor proficiency second edition scale (BOT-2). Results: Generally, there was a statistically significant difference between control group and fine motor exercises group where (p <  0.05), besides, there was a statistically significant difference between control group and fine motor and balance exercises group where (p <  0.05). But, there was no statistically significant difference between fine motor exercises group and fine motor and balance exercises group where (p >  0.05). Conclusions: The Fine Motor performance of children with SNHL has been improved by Fine motor with or without balancing exercises according to (BOT-2).

scholarly journals Influence of Extraversion on Social Loafing Behavior: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Nihal Dal
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
The Other ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Fine Motor Skills ◽  
Social Loafing ◽  
Perceptual Motor Skills

The present study aimed to investigate extraversion as a moderator of social loafing on a motor task that requires fine motor skills as well as perceptual-motor skills. Participants with higher and lower levels of extraversion were asked to group dots according to their color during high and low identifiability conditions. The performance was determined by the number of dots accurately grouped. A 2 (group; high/low extraversion) × 2 (identifiability; high/low) mixed model of ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between extraversion and identifiability, which means that extraverts’ performance increased from the low to high identifiability condition. On the other hand, introverts’ performance remained relatively stable across high and low identifiability conditions. Overall, results suggested that in an identifiable state, extraverts tend to increase their performance.

scholarly journals Rewards interact with explicit knowledge to enhance skilled motor performance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. Anderson ◽  
Tyler J. Adkins ◽  
Bradley S. Gary ◽  
Taraz G. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Motor Planning ◽  
Action Selection ◽  
The Other ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Sequential Movements ◽  
Human Participants ◽  
Sequencing Task

AbstractFrom typing on a keyboard to playing the piano, many everyday skills require the ability to quickly and accurately perform sequential movements. It is well-known that the availability of rewards leads to increases in motivational vigor whereby people enhance both the speed and force of their movements. However, in the context of motor skills, it is unclear whether rewards also lead to more effective motor planning and action selection. Here, we trained human participants to perform four separate sequences in a skilled motor sequencing task. Two of these sequences were trained explicitly and performed with pre-cues that allow for the planning of movements, while the other two were trained implicitly. Immediately following the introduction of performance-contingent monetary incentives, participants improved their performance on all sequences consistent with enhancements in motivational vigor. However, there was a much larger performance boost for explicitly trained sequences. We replicated these results in a second, pre-registered experiment with an independent sample. We conclude from these experiments that rewards enhance both the planning of movements as well as motivational vigor.

scholarly journals Intraindividual Variability Measurement of Fine Manual Motor Skills in Children Using an Electronic Pegboard: Cohort Study

10.2196/12434 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e12434
Author(s):  
Diego Rivera ◽  
Antonio García ◽  
Jose Eugenio Ortega ◽  
Bernardo Alarcos ◽  
Kevin van der Meulen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Movement Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Intraindividual Variability ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Motor Speed ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
New Research

Background Pegboard tests are a powerful technique used by health and education professionals to evaluate manual dexterity and fine motor speed, both in children and adults. Using traditional pegboards in tests, the total time that, for example, a 4-year-old child needs for inserting pegs in a pegboard, with the left or right hand, can be measured. However, these measurements only allow for studying the variability among individuals, whereas no data can be obtained on the intraindividual variability in inserting and removing these pegs with one and the other hand. Objective The aim of this research was to study the intraindividual variabilities in fine manual motor skills of 2- to 3-year-old children during playing activities, using a custom designed electronic pegboard. Methods We have carried out a pilot study with 39 children, aged between 25 and 41 months. The children were observed while performing a task involving removing 10 pegs from 10 holes on one side and inserting them in 10 holes on the other side of a custom-designed sensor-based electronic pegboard, which has been built to be able to measure the times between peg insertions and removals. Results A sensor-based electronic pegboard was successfully developed, enabling the collection of single movement time data. In the piloting, a lower intraindividual variability was found in children with lower placement and removal times, confirming Adolph et al’s hypothesis. Conclusions The developed pegboard allows for studying intraindividual variability using automated wirelessly transmitted data provided by its sensors. This novel technique has been useful in studying and validating the hypothesis that children with lower movement times present lower intraindividual variability. New research is necessary to confirm these findings. Research with larger sample sizes and age ranges that include additional testing of children’s motor development level is currently in preparation.

The effect of music on fine motor and spatial-motor skills

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emese Nagy ◽  
Dawn Evans ◽  
Cassie Masterton ◽  
Christina Cameron ◽  
Vanessa Urban
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Experimental Music ◽  
Spatial Abilities ◽  
Background Music ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Workplace Performance ◽  
Motor Movements

The effect of music on spatial-temporal reasoning, as well as the therapeutic impacts of music, has sparked a great deal of interest in scientists, therapists and educational experts. Two experiments investigated whether music affects motor performance using validated musical pieces three conditions: calming, intrusive and a control with no music. Participants were unaware of the experimental music manipulation. In experiment 1, participants were asked to build a domino tower and music had no effect on their (n=26) fine motor movements, the number of dominoes used or reaction time. In experiment 2, participants completed a ‘Magic Snake’ task; and intrusive music interfered with participants’ (n=30) spatial-motor skills, reducing the rate of successful completion of the design. These findings suggest that intrusive, arousing background music disrupts spatial abilities. The findings may have many implications for workplace performance, particularly in jobs that demand high levels of spatial-motor skills, such as engineering, some areas of medicine, or traffic control and driving; where the use of music could potentially interfere with work.

Effects of Family Density and Mothers' Education on Preschoolers' Motor Skills

1974 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avram H. Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Fine Motor Skills ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Verbal Iq ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
Maternal Schooling

Individual comparisons were used in an epidemiological framework to determine the effects of two neighborhoods, family density, and mother's education on 58 ethnically varied 3-yr.-olds in Israel. Measures included verbal IQ, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills. Significant sex differences were found in that high densities and low maternal schooling alone and in interaction related to poor motor performance for the boys. It was suggested that mothers who have at least finished primary school may act to neutralize the detrimental effects of a crowded home. Fathers' income and occupation were little associated with crowding and this seemed to reflect greater economic homogeneity within this Israeli sample.

scholarly journals Assessment of global motor performance and gross and fine motor skills of infants attending day care centers

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina T. Souza ◽  
Denise C. C. Santos ◽  
Rute E. Tolocka ◽  
Letícia Baltieri ◽  
Nathália C. Gibim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Fine Motor Skills ◽  
Day Care Centers

Manual Behavior, Lateralization of Manual Skills and Cognitive Performance of Preschool Children

1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Smirni ◽  
Giuseppe Zappalà
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Motor Ability ◽  
Diagnostic Parameter ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Manual Skills

Direction and degree of manual specialization (functional asymmetry between the hands) on a pegboard task, and fine motor ability (total number of pegs inserted) of both hands were correlated with verbal and visuospatial performances for 47 preschool children. No significant differences were found between right-, and left-, and mixed-handers even though the best motor skills were shown by the 6 mixed-handed subjects, who also had the highest scores on cognitive tasks. Verbal and visuospatial performances were not correlated with degree or direction of manual specialization. They were instead correlated with the level of motor ability of both hands. Motor maturation should be viewed, then, as a process that implies a richer motor performance of both hands and could be interpreted as a more specific diagnostic parameter than the traditional indices of handedness in cognitive fields.

scholarly journals The Effect of Red and Blue on Gross and Fine Motor Tasks: Confirming the Inverted-U Hypothesis

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobin Hong ◽  
Aiai Xu ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
Lu Geng ◽  
Rong Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Blue Color ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
High Arousal ◽  
Dart Throwing ◽  
Better Than

Previous studies have shown that the color red can affect basic motor functioning. However, these studies utilized simple gross motor tasks rather than those assessing complex fine motor skills. Moreover, these empirical studies were theoretically based on the threat–behavior link in human and non-human animals, and neglected the relationship between arousal and motor performance. According to the Yerkes–Dodson law and the inverted-U hypothesis in sport psychology, for simple motor tasks, high arousal (associated with the color red) is more advantageous than low arousal (associated with the color blue); for complex motor tasks, low arousal (blue color) is more advantageous than high arousal (red color). The current research examined the effect of color on different kinds of motor skills (fine motor and gross motor) based on the inverted U-hypothesis. In Experiment 1, we examined the effect of red and blue on dart-throwing performance, whereas in Experiment 2, we examined the effect of red and blue on grip strength performance. The results showed that performance of fine motor skill (dart-throwing) in the blue condition was better than in the red condition, and performance of gross motor skill (handgrip) in the red context was better than in the blue context. These results indicate that the type of motor skill assessed moderates the influence of red and blue on motor performance.

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